Recently, there has been some conflict with certain clothing choices students have made during events such as volleyball games and homecoming dodgeball.
At the white lie volleyball game, some of the shirts displayed inappropriate phrases, including subjects of curse words, body parts, and slander. No actions were taken to remove students from the game, nor were any consequences imposed for their actions. McKay was not in attendance at the game and said if she were there, she would’ve “made them change and probably kicked them out if they wouldn’t have changed.” She said, “That was over the line,” and she was frustrated because she said the students knew it was. Administrators are taking steps to determine how to prevent this from becoming a problem. They don’t want to have to take away the privilege of the theme, but they will have to if students continue to abuse the theme. She said that at this point, if it continues to be a problem, she will have to put her foot down and put an end to it.
As well as the white lie shirts, at the frat-themed volleyball game, students were bringing red solo cups, and although those aren’t exactly inappropriate or against the dress code, they can cause some controversy because of the implications behind the cups. When she addressed students with cups, no one gave her any problems, but if they had, “it would have been very different.”
During the first round of dodgeball, the senior girls came out wearing black t-shirts and either bikers or leggings with bikinis over the top. McKay was not in attendance at the games; she was in a meeting and had to hear about this information from staff members. She was informed that the girls were wearing workout tops and tight shorts. She thought this meant “sports bras and volleyball shorts,” and she was very concerned with this information. After she was informed of what they were wearing, instead of doing her “due diligence,” she rattled off an email to some senior leaders, instead of getting more information. She was frustrated with herself and her own response because she felt as though she didn’t do the right thing and acted out of frustration and anger.
The outfits worn for dodgeball were also worn at a previous football game, McKay said she struggled with it then but explained she struggles with a lot of things that she is trying better to not struggle with, she “wants us to have fun, and for the school spirit to be a fun time,” she wants students to make good memories and be able to do these things but she doesn’t want anyone to be “compromised” or for some one who doesn’t know how amazing her kids are to start making “rude and disparaging comments.” For these reasons, she didn’t address the outfits at the football game, but she felt the need to for dodgeball. Another reason she felt differently about the situation is that dodgeball happens during the school day in front of the whole school, while football games are outside, and after school hours.
McKay said that if there were questions or concerns about these themes, they should have conversations to address these things and talk about them ahead of time, so she can be prepared. She also wants to push the Student Council and AHS Fuel to take initiative and help students understand what is and isn’t appropriate for certain events, such as TWIRP Week, volleyball games, football games, basketball games, and homecoming dress days. She wants people to “have an understanding as to why things are the way they are.” She doesn’t want to have to mandate and police the way people dress; she’s never had to do that and doesn’t want to have to now. She gave the idea for these organizations to post ideas of what students can wear, for example, Adam Sandler day; post pictures of what he wears so students can be more informed and not confused about what a dress day or theme entails. She said, “Stuff like that can be super helpful.”
She said that for these themes and fun things not to get taken away, if an event is happening in the school building, “try to focus on dress code,” She said, “I’m not trying to be mean,” she just wants to make sure her “kids” are representing themselves the best they possibly can.
McKay said that next year, if they do a pep rally during the first week of school, she might “talk through some of those expectations,” so everybody knows what to expect and no one is blindsided by these facts. She also wants to meet with the student council and AHS Fuel ahead of time, to find a “common ground.” She is trying to come out of this with a growth mindset, using the phrase, “What can I learn from this?” She wants people to have fun, but “we have to remember where that line is, and not go over it.” She said we should all come to it with a place of growth and respect; she would be willing to “come to the table, to figure it out, so we’re all happy.”
